MANILA, Philippines?Weddings are my favorite social occasion. These are the greatest transitions of our lives, complete with drama, suspense and romance, all in one very special evening.

My own wedding was celebrated 14 years ago, but I still reminisce about that special day. Like any bride, I wanted my wedding to be unique, perhaps with flame-eaters or something to add to our medieval theme. And like most couples, our day turned out beautifully, with Dennis and I having our dream wedding.

Nowadays the most difficult part about getting married, aside from finding the perfect spouse, is choosing between the limitless options?from gowns to video, etc., etc. A couple?s first real challenge is to survive all the arguments, manage all the finances and somehow still show up at the altar.

The hottest new source for bridal advice is Wedding Belle. Recently launched at Blue Leaf Pavilion in Bonifacio Global City, the magazine is hip but with a classic taste? covering all the areas a couple needs to pull off the event.

At the flower-adorned venue, courtesy of Scarlet Begonia flowers, guests were welcomed with Rene Barbier wine and champagne, and delicious food by H Cuisine. Global Beer Exchange had an overflowing open bar of Bailey?s, Artic Vodka and Belgian brews, while those with sugar cravings indulged in confections from Marta?s Cakes. Other sponsors were event stylist Henry Pascual, Hizon?s and Sensitivity.

Publishers Marta Araneta and Pilar Tuason, also a renowned photographer, are the heads of Wedding Belle, the second title of Bella Luce Publications. Digital Photographer Philippines magazine is their other title, which won Best Printing award in 2007.

The magazine?s contents run the gamut from top fashion designers to beauty tips and even sex advice to enlighten every bride and groom. Published quarterly, their website, www.weddingbelle.com.ph, is set to be the hottest online destination for curious couples.

Photography plays a major part in wedding essentials. The photographer is as crucial as the gown designer, makeup artist and florist, as he is ultimately responsible for the lasting memories of the event.

Vietnam photo tour

With such a high-stress job, these creative artists need every break they can get. Recently a group of photographers, including

Inquirer?s photojournalist Chito Vecina went on a Vietnam photography trip to capture the life and culture of our Asian neighbor. Tagging along with them was wedding makeup artist Madge Lejano, who proved to be as talented with the lens as with her brushes.

The group?s weeklong photo exhibit, ?Good Morning Vietnam,? held at The Block, SM North Edsa, showcased the nine artists? photographs. Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Xuan Troung graced the opening and was more than impressed with the vivid photographs. The exhibit was made possible by Prolab, who printed the photographs on Kodak paper.

Wedding videographer Jason Magbanua was so impressed that he vowed to join the next outing, this time to Malaysia or Cambodia. It?s amazing that these lensmen are so devoted to their craft that even their vacations involve their artistry.

Recent weddings

But I digress. After all the ?focal point? of the wedding is not the photographer but the bride.

The bridal gown is the show-stopper of all weddings. I will never forget my own Middle Ages-inspired creation by master designer Inno Sotto, from its black fleur appliqués to the gold trimmings. Normally black is taboo at weddings, but I suppose one can say I am somewhat unconventional when it comes to fashion.

Modern-day weddings are more free of superstition and traditions. Two weddings I recently attended had black as their color motif. Jed and Lesley Santos did their reception in black and even the guests were asked to dress in the color motif. It all gave an added elegance to the affair.

Then Cacai Velasquez and Raul Mitra rocked Tagaytay Midlands with their black motif. The couple and I bonded during last year?s ?Celebrity Duets,? with musical director Raul paying extra attention to make my raspy voice sound melodic.

Poker

Both recently joined me at a Texas Hold?em event?the Poker for a Royal Cause Tournament held at Metro Card Club in Metrowalk, Ortigas. Lots of celebrities, like Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Richard Gomez, Bobby Andrews, Paolo Paraiso, QT del Mar, Doug Kramer, Epi Quizon and Angelica Jones, came to support the effort. The best performance came from John Estrada, who made it to the Top 10.

The owners of Metro Card Club, Nick Galan, Ronald Singson and Neil Arce, generously donated their club and their dealers? services for the whole-day affair. Filipino Poker Tour organizer Alan Escano, together with my Assumption HS Batch ?81, hosted this all-for-Red Cross charity tournament.

Red Cross Makati City is the newest branch of the PNRC Rizal Chapter, having been formally launched just a year ago. It is part of a network that delivers all of the Red Cross? six major services: disaster management, safety services, blood banking, community health and nursing, social services, and Red Cross Youth. Now that?s a worthy cause!

The grand champion was Ronnel Sto. Tomas, who won a giant painting by Ivan Acuna. I am so thankful to Ivan, as he has been supporting all my charities throughout the years.

The other major prizes were all donated, including vacation packages from the country?s top resorts, like Pearl Farm in Davao, Club Noah in Palawan, Tides Resort, Boracay Tropics Resort, Friday?s and Discovery Shores in Boracay, and Amorita Resort in Bohol. Other sponsors included Metro Gaisano, National Book Store, Swatch, Urban Spa, Cupcakes by Sonja, Shakey?s Pizza, Dunkin? Donuts and PhilWeb Corp.

Incidentally the New Metro Card Club, still at Metrowalk, will be opening with a 2M410K Texas Hold?em tournament on Oct. 4-5, with P2 million in guaranteed prizes. This will be the fifth leg of the Filipino Poker Tour and features a low buy-in of P10,000 and a P1,000 entry fee. For details, visit www.metrocardclub.com.

But I?ve digressed again, haven?t I? From weddings to poker, I hope your Sunday is as whimsical as mine.

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph